Container making machine



June 4 1940. -c.`BARB1ER| 2,203,515

CONTAINER MAKING MACHINE Filed out. 5. 19:56 sheets-sheet 1 June 4, 1940. c. BARBIERI 2,203,515

- t CONTAINER MAKING MACHINE' Filld Oct. 5, 19556 8 Sheds-Sheet 2 M Q MIZ! /Z i June 4, 1940. j c. BARBIERI I 2,203,515

CONTAINER MAKING MACHINE Filed on. s, 1956 e sheets-sheet s l 7'a 9 2635V June 4, 1940. c. BARBIERI CONTAINER MAKING MACHINE Filed ont'. s. 193e a sheets-.sheet 5 June 4, 1940. C, BARBlERl 2,203,515

CONTAINER MAKING Mmmm?.

Filed on. s, lese e sheets-sheet e l INI-HHH June 4, 1940. i. c, BARBlERl 2,203,515

CONTAINER MAKING MACHINE Filad Oct'. 5, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 ME 755 @asemeja/ 1122x/1 Patented June 4, 1940 PATENT OFFICE l CONTAINER. MAKING MACHINE Cesare Barbieri, New York, N. Y., assigner to Dixie-Vortex Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application October 5, 1933, Serial No. 104,035

' 1s claims. (ci. eis-36.2)

, This invention relates to improvements in container making machines, and also to a lnew and novel method of making containers, theinventlon being highly desirable for use in connection with the manufacture of containers from paper or similar sumciently economical material to warrant. disposition of the container after a single usage, and the containers being ofthe character of paper drinking cups, ice cream cups and holdersfor similar` commodities, although the invention will have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. l

Economy is one of the essentials in the manufacture of paper containers, such as drinking or ice cream cups and similar economical containers for various commodities, It is therefore desirable to have a machine whichwill provide a container with a minimum of operations and pr'oduce each minute a rather great number of containers which will pass a rigid inspection. The various operating parts of the machine must be relatively accurately timed" for proper coordination, and there must be a continuity of run without a jamming of the machine or the formation of defective containers. Diiliculty `has been experlenced at times 'in the very rapid manufacture of containers of a larger size,since larger blanks, such, for example, as a blank for a twenty-four or twenty-eight ounce container, because such a blank is more dimcult to handle than a smaller blank, such, for example, as that for a four or six ounce container. 'I'his dimculty is not corrected merely by adjustments of the mechanism and the substitution of larger sized mandrels for `smallernmandrels or similar forming parts, be-

cause it frequently happens that a machine which will eillcientl'y manufacture smaller sized containers will fail to economically manufacture large sized containers after such adjustments or n substitution havebeen made.

With the Aforegoing `in mind, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a con- 'tainer making machine which operates eilicientiy and at high speed, and which will manufacture large sized containers with substantially the same ei'liciency that it will manufacture small sized containers.

Anotherfeature of the invention resides in the provision of a machine wherein a relatively continuous strip of stock is fed directly to the forming mechanism and gripped thereby prior to the severance of a blankfrom the stock strip.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a machine for makingcontainers of the character of paper drinking or ice cream cups.' wherein blanks are successively cut from a relatively continuous strip of stock, and cut in a manner requiring no further cutting or trimming operations upon the blank either during its formation into a container or subsequently thereto.

Also an object of the invention is the provision of a machine which feeds a relatively continuous strip of stock intermittently to forming position, and'then severs a blank from this strip.

A further'feature of the invention is the provi- 10 sion of a machine capable not only of successively severing blanks from a relatively continuous strip of stock, `and forming the severed blanks into containers, but which machine runs continuously whe feeding the stock strip intermittently.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a container making machine in which a continuous strip of stock is fed to the forming mechanism, the feeding mechanism being driven intermittently and the forming mechanism at variable speed, rapidly'during the forming operation and slowly `when picking up the next succeeding blank.

It is also an object of the invention to provide` a machine of the character mentioned just previously above, wherein agripper mandrel is used which is operated at its slowest speed when the mandrel grips the approaching end of the continuous stock strip, a blank is severed from the strip and the mandrel operated at a rapid rate of speed during the forming operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine oi! the character described herein where the main driving mechanism is at the nish end of the machine. 3

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a machine arranged to apply successive patches of printing to `a relatively continuous strip of stock, apply spaced patches of glue to said strip, feed the strip directly into engagement o with forming mechanisms, and then sever a blank from the strip between adjacent patches of gluing, said blanks carrying a predetermined amount of printing thereon. 1

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a container making machine which is highly eillcient and economical in operation, and

which necessitates a minimum wastage of stock l acteristics and advantages of the present invention' have been above pointed out, others will be- 55 come apparent from the following disclosures takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: g

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of the machine as a whole;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view, illustrating the main drive means at the finish end of the machine;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary'vertical sectional view, with parts omitted, taken substantially as indicated by the line IlI--III of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, with parts omitted, of the starting end of the machine, taken substantially vas indicated` by the line IV-IV of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the cutting mechanism, taken substantially as indicated by the line VV of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows:

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan sectional view, taken substantially as indicated by the staggered section line VI-VI of Figure 5, with parts omitted;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, illustrating a portion of the main drive mechanism and the actuation of a part of the forming means, taken substantially as indicated by the staggered section line VII-VII of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, illustrating the actuation of another part of the forming means, taken substantially as indicated by the line VIII-VIII of Figure 2; Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectiona view through the forming mandrel and its shank structure;

Figure 10 is a vfragmentary elevational view of the forming mandrel;

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view through lthe forming mandrel taken substantially as in` dicated by the line XII-)H of Figure l0, in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of actuating mechanism controlling a part of the forming mandrel, with parts omitted, taken looking substantially as indicated by the line XII-XII of f Figure 2;

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of a finished ping the machine with suitable forming dies or` similar.y mechanisms to add other operations to -the making of the container, the apex of-the4 container may be blunted or otherwise shaped, a turned drinking rim or margin may be provided around the mouth of the container, or other similar known shaping operations may be provided. It will also be understoodA that the invention is not strictly limited to the making of apaper container of conical form, nor of. any particular size, although the invention` as illustrated and described herein will perform with great efficiency not only as to small sized containers but also as to relatively large sized con-- tainers. but different shapes, styles and sizes of containersmay be provided with the use of differently shaped forming mandrels, cutting dies, and the making of obvious adjustments to accommodate such. l

Tnn Mlirnon 1N GnNlmAL In general, the method of making a container as embodied in the present invention includes the feeding of a substantially continuous sheet of stock 'from a source, such, for example, as a roll of stock, which may be paper of the character utilized in the making of paper drinking cups and the like, either of the dry wax or wet wax variety. f

From the source, the stock sheet is fed by suitable mechanism to a, printing unit which, in this speeds,- but continuously, so that during the actual l forming operations, the mechanism moves at a faster speed, and when it receives the forward edge of the stock strip it moves at minimum speed. The forming mechanism actually grips the leading end of the stock strip and then, Iby a suitable cutting mechanism,l a blank is severed from the strip which is immediately fonned into a container by the forming mechanism. As stated,.the cutting operation preferably occurs after the forming mechanism has positively engaged the end of the stock strip.

The blanks are successively severed from the intermittently advanced stock strip in a manner to provide a finished blank for the forming mechanism. In otherwords', this blank does not need any further cutting or trimming operations, but is complete in and of itself for the forming of a container, provided, o f course, that the particular container being formed is such as can be formed from a single blank of material... The cutting of the blank is between the spaced patches of adhesive and so as to provide a predetermined amount of printed matter on each blank.

After the .container is formed by the forming mechanism, it is automatically ejected `therefrom into a suitable container. the iinishedcontainers being preferably lstacked in nestedrela-` tionship. t l Tmc MACHINE 1N Gunnar.

The machine ingeneral comprisesa pair-of adjacent fr'ame structures I and 2, ,respectively. The frame I carries the main part of the machine,`

including the initial feeding rolls, the printing mechanism, the `lgluing. mechanism,` theaimain feeding rolls, and the cutting mechanismt-,-f'lhe frame structure 2` which is disposedyat anangle to the frame I,-as seen best in Figure1,scarries the main Adrive mechanism and the forming! and ejecting mechanisms. It is obvious Athat lthe frames I and 2 may be made integral with each other. if so desired. .I f-

It willbe appreciated that both frame .structures I and 2 willbe fabricated 'and shaped to adequately support the various parts of the machine and journal the respective shafts, all -in a manner to meet the exigencies of the particular construction. Consequently, `it is not necessary herein to specifically describe every angle, side plate, etc., of the various frame structures, it being necessary herein to merely indicate the fra-mes generally by numerals and 2, and to mention that the cutting mechanism is mainly carried by a yoke 3 in the form of a superstructure on the frame I.

The frame I'includes a bed plate 4, seen best in Figures 3, 4 and 5. suitably supported in position. The stock sheet 5 travels along Von this bed plate between a pair of guide members 3 6,

seen best in Figures 3 and 6. These guide mem-` bers extend a sufficient distance to keep the stock sheet in its proper path through the machine. The stock sheet reaches the bed plate 4 just after the application of adhesive thereto, and this bed plate is continuous, save for a suitable opening to accommodate the main feeding rolls, upto the cutting mechanism, and the bed plate merges with a portion of the cutting mechanism so as not to interrupt the continuity of th `path of travel for the stocksheet.

The main drive' Certain parts of the machine are driven continuously at constant speed, certain parts are driven intermittently, and certain other parts are 'driven continuously but at variable speeds through a predetermined speed cycle. However, all parts of the machine are driven from the same general source and the entire machine can be operated by a suitable electric motor or some other source of power. The main driving mechanism for the machine is centered at the finish end of the machine` or that end Where completed containers are'ejected, and from the finish end vof the machine only a single driving connection need' be made with the source of power.

The drive mechanism includes a driving Wheel 'I, which may be in the form of a pulley as shown, a gear, or any other suitable wheel for connection to the particular drive source, not shown. This drive wheel 1 is mounted on a shaft 3 journaled in brackets `99 carried by the frame 2. A suitable clutch arrangement I is provided for starting and stopping the machine in the event it is desired to stop the machine while the power source is still in operation (Figure 2).

Also carried by the shaft 8 is a pinion meshing with a-gear I2 of larger size so as to reduce speed, which gear is carried on a shaft I3 also suitably journaled` in the frame 2. The outer end of the shaft I3 carries a bevel gear |4 in mesh with asimilar bevel gear I5 disposed at right angles to the first gear and carried by an oblquely disposed shaft I5 journaled in angles lII--I'I extending from the frame 2, as seen in Figure 3. A similar bevel gear connection generally indicated at I8 at the other end of the oblique shaft IIiI affords a driving connection for the operation of a vertical shaft I9 which, in turn, through a like bevel gear connection 20, drives a. horizontally disposed shaft 2| journaled in the superstructure 3 on the frame I, as best seen in Figure 5.

It is preferable to have the` various bevel gears of the same size, and from the construction just above described, it will be seen that the shaft 2| will rotate once for each revolution of the shaft I3. As will be more apparent later herein, a single container will be formed for each revolution of the shaft'I3, and having like revolutions between the shafts I3 and 2| enables the various mechanismsto be relatively timed in an easier manner. All of the other operating parts of the the gear being normal.

machine are connected directly or indirectly with either of the shafts -I3 or 2| by connections to be later described.

The initial feeding mechanisml c 5 from the stock source (not shown) and feed it into a loop 28 of substantially a U-shape, this being merely a slack loop. With reference to Figure l, it will be seen that the upper shaft 24 carries on its outer end a suitable sprocket wheel engaged by a suitable driving chain 29 also engaged with@ a sprocket wheel 3|) carried by the aforesaid shaft 2|, the sprocket wheel 30 being visible in Figure 3. The shaft 25 is preferably driven from the shaft 24 by suitable gears, not shown in the drawings, but which may be of the same character later described herein in connection with the main feeding rolls.

It will thus be seen that the initial feeding mechanism is preferably driven continuously and at substantially constant speed directly from the shaft 2|.

Again, with reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that the stock strip 5 may travel over a freely mounted guide roller 3|, if such is deemed desirable, before it reaches the initial feeding rolls. The main feeding mechanism merely places a stock strip in condition to be accepted by the main working parts of the machine, only one other pair of feeding rolls is necessary. These are the main feeding rolls 32 and 33 mounted upon shafts 34 and 35, respectively, visible in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5 and'. With reference to Figure 4, it will be seen that the feeding rolls 32 and 33 act upon the stock strip through a suitable opening in the stock bed plate or table 4. With referenceV to Figure 3, it will be seen that the shafts 34 and 35 are provided with like gears or pinions 36 and 31, respectively, on one side of the machine, so that the lower shaft 35 is driven by the upper shaft 34.

With reference to Figures 3 and 6, it will be seen that the upper shaft 34 carries on the opposite end a mutilated gear 38 having an arcuate toothless portion 39 (Figure 6), the remainder of This mutilated gear is in positionV to be engaged bya large mutilated gear 4I) carried on one end of the shaft 2|. As seen best in Figure 5, the large mutilated gear 40 has teeth substantially half way around, and the other half of the gear is plain, as indicated at 4|. As stated above, this shaft 2| is driven continuously tui ned only during a half revolution ofthe gear 40, while during the other half revolution, the

smooth part 4| of this gear will ride in the part 39 of the gear 38 without causing any motion ing roll 32 is notched or reduced in diameter adjacent one end, as indicated at 42, so that this feed roll will not contact with the adhesive carried by the stock strip during its movement.

, With reference to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that the lower shaft 35 is mounted in a pair of floating bearings, adjacent each of which is a suitable bolt and spring adjustment 43 for vary- `ing the pressure between the feed rolls, as may This mechanism is best seen in Figure 4, with a slight reference to Figures 1, `3 and 6 for the drive connection.

In the upper central part of Figure 4, there is a shaft 44 which carries a suitable sprocket wheel for engagement by a chain 45v which is driven from another sprocket wheel 46 carried by the shaft 34 (Figure 3). Another suitable sprocket wheel and lchain connection 41 (Figures 1, 4 and 6) effects a drive from the shaft 44` to a shaft 48, seen in the lower portion of Figure 4. It will thus be seen that the shaft 48, as well as the shaft 44, is driven intermittently. since the drive connection is taken from the aforesaid shaft 34.

With reference to Figure 4, it will be seen that the shaft 48 carries a suitable roll 49. whichl not only functions as a feed roll in conjunction with a printing roll 50 carried by a shaft 5|, but also furnishes a backing for the printing roll. Beneath the printing roll is an inking roll 52 which abuts against an inking pad 53 carried upon a base 54 pivoted as at 55. A suitable latch mechanism 56 holds the base and inking pad in position and permits access thereto for replenishng the ink supply. Both the printing roll and the inking roll are frictionally driven from contact with each other and from the pressure between the printing roll and the roll 49. that the printing roll is mounted in a pair of floating bearings, by which the pressure of the printing roll may beadjusted through a suitable bolt andspring adjustment 51.

The'stock strip 5 passes between the roll 428 and the printing roll 58 and is fed thereby from the aforesaid slack loop 28. the stock passing over a free roller 58 upon leaving the loop, and

the stock strip being held in straight position bya rider roll 58.

The stock strip 5 next passes around the underside of a freely mounted guiding roll 68 which heads the stock in an upward oblique direction .towards another guiding roll 6| immediately adjacent the stock bed plate 4 and mounted upon a shaft 62. After passing over the free roll 6| and reaching the bed plate 4, the stock is urged along the bed plate between the aforesaid guide members 6 by the above described main feeding mechanism including the rolls 32 and 33.

The gluing mechanism As the stock strip 5 travels between the free Yrolls 68 and 6|, spa'cedpatches of adhesive 63 (Figure 6) are applied to thestrip by mechanism now about to be described.

With reference to Figures 1, 4 and 6, especially Figure 4, it will be seen that the gluing mecha- It will be seen" nism includes a glue pot 64 having a cover 85 pivoted as at 66 and held in closed position by a suitable latch 61. This glue pot is provided with a forwardly extending narrower portion 68 covered by a fixedl cover 69.

A suitable adhesive 18, kept liquid in any suitable manner, may be contained in the glue pot,

land in the extended portion of the glue pot a gluing roller 1| is positioned to dip into the liquid. This gluing roller is rotated by frictional contact with the glue applying roller 12 xed to the aforesaid shaft 44. A smaller roller 13 contacts the gluing roller 1| to remove excess adhesive before the rollers 1| and 12 contact.

It will be noted that the applying roller 12 is notched as at 14 in diametrical portions, so that this roll will apply the spaced dabs 63 of adhesive directly to the traveling stock sheets 5. To v backing for the application of the'gluc and prevent tearing of the stock strip. As best seen in Figure 6, one of the spring controlled bell crank levers 15 is preferably disposed at each end of the backing roll 16.

With reference to Figure 6, it will be seen that the spaced dabs 63 of adhesive-are preferably applied to the stock strip adjacent a side margin thereof, and these dabs of adhesive will pass beneath the reduced portion 42 of the upper feed roll 32 so that this feed roll will not disrupt the adhesive. Adjacent the opposite side of the stock strip, the shaft 44 is provided with a wheel 18 of substantially the same diameter as the glueapplying wheel 12, this wheel 18 merely keeping the stock strip in proper alignment with the aid of the pressure from the backing roll 16.

It will be apparent that the gluing mechanism is operated intermittently with the main feeding rolls 32 and 33, since, as before' explained, th shaft 44 is driven from the shaft 34.

The blankcuiting mechanism This mechanism is in the main mounted in the superstructure 3 on the frafme I and is best seen in Figures 3, 5 and 6. `With reference to Figure 5, it will be seen that the frame I is' provided with a laminated bed plate 19 topped by a die block 88 which is flush with the stock `bed plate 4. The die block 88 is apertured as indicated at 8|, and this aperture is of the same contour as the punch die to be later described.

With reference to Figure 6, it will be seen that a pair of vertical beveled rails 82-82 are mounted on the cross portion of the superstructure 3. These rails form a dovetailed track in which the rear 'portion 83 of a vertically' reciprocable ldie holder 84 rides. The llower portion of the die holder is shaped in conformity with a punch die 85 carried by the holder. As stated before, the aperture 8| in the die block 80 is of the same configuration as the punch die, so that when the punch die descends-it severs the stock strip and removes therefrom a portion of waste material of the same pattern as the shaded top of the punch die, as seen in Figure 6. This punching operation provides a complete'container blank and requires no further cutting or trimming op- The forming mechanism includes a conical erations.

The punch die is actuated by a pair of cams 81 fixed to the continuously rotatable shaft 2| adjacent opposite ends thereof. Each of these cams is provided with a relatively small cam hump 88 (Figure 4) which acts against a roller 89 carried by a crank arm 90. With reference to Figure 3, it will be seen that these crank arms 90 are fixed to opposite ends of a shaft 9| freely journaled in the side uprights of the structure 3. Substantially in the center thereof, the shaft 9| has another crank arm 92 fixed thereto and-extending in the opposite direction from the crank arm 90. The end of the crank arm 92 carries a round-headed bolt and nut contactor 93 which rests against a pad 94 on the die holder. Accordingly, each time the cam hump 88 raises the crank arm 90, the punch die will be caused to descend and sever a blank from the stopped stock strip 5. As seen best in Figure 5, the severanceof the blank will occur after the advance of the stock has stopped, or. in other words, after the toothed portion of the mutilated gear 40 has left the other mutilated gear 38.

` The upright side portions of the structure 3 are connected by a top cross-beam 95, from which a pair of arms 96 extends. Connected at one end to each of these arms by a suitable adjustable connection 91 is a spring 98, the other end of which is connected to the upper portion of the die holder 84. These springs maintain the die holder in contact with the contact member 93 at all times, and accordingly result in a raising of thel die holder after each cutting operation.

To prevent the elevation of the forward end of the stock strip together with the punch die, the rear edge of the punch die is provided with a presser 99 reciprocable on the shank of a bolt and urged downwardly by a spring |01 disposed between the bolt headand the presser member. The presser member is arranged to extend below the punch die, and consequently, due to the action of the spring, will hold down the forward edge of the stock'strip until after the punch die has been raised.

The blank and container made therefrom adjacent which is the patch 63 of adhesive, a

rounded extension |04` which is wound around the apex of the finished container, and a projection on the other side edge, which projecting portion is gripped by the forming mechanism. When the blank is formed'into a cone, the margin adjacent the edge |03 and that adjacent the projection |05 are overlapped, as seen ln'Figure 14, and held together by the adhesive patch 63 which also aids in holding the rounded projection |04 in position around the apex of the cup, as seen in Figure 13. On the underside of the blank 8B, as seen in Figure 6, there will be a patch of printing .|106.which,when the cup is properly formed, will appear on the outside of the finished container, as seen in Figure 13.

The forming mechanism and its operation This mechanism and its operation is illustrated in Figures 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and is mounted on the frame structure 2.

mandrel |01 having a slot |08 in the side thereof for the reception of the projection |05 of the blank 05. Inside the mandrel, a gripper |09- rmiy holds the blank engaged with the mandrel. In the manufacture of large sized containers, lt is preferable to use a gripper of the character of the gripper |09 rather than hold the blank to first is the forwardend of the stock strip 5, the

blank 86 not being severed from the strip preferably until after the gripper |09 has actually engagedthe part |705 of the stock strip.

With reference to Figure 9, it will be seen that the mandrel is xedly mounted on a hollow shaft \||0 which is journaled in a bearing carried by a suitable bearing housing ||2 on the upper portion of the frame 2 (Figure 2). Also fixed to the hollow shaft ||0 is a driving gear ||3 and a bushing H4, for purposes that will later appear.

Located Within the hollow shaft H0 is another hollow shaft ||5 which controlsthe operation of the gripper |09. This gripper is xed to a float- 'ing sleeve H6 disposed around the reduced forward end of the shaft H0. The sleeve is apertured as indicated at to accommodate a key ||8 carried by another sleeve ||9 fixed to the hollow shaft H5, the key ||8 extending through a suitable aperture in the forward portion of the shaft H0. At the rear end thereof, the shaft H5 has a sleeve |20 xed thereto, which sleeve is connected by a spring |2| to the aforesaid bushing H4. The action of the spring tends to hold the shaft |I5, which of course is relatively rotatable in respect to the shaft H0, in such-position relatively to the shaft ||0 that the gripper |09 is maintained in closed or gripping position. To open the gripper, it is necessary to hold the shaft ||5 against rotation with the shaft I0 and against the action of the spring |2|.

Of course, the time the gripper is held in open position is relatively short compared with the time it remains in closed position. The gripper must be held in open position to permit the ejection of a finished container from the mandrel and while the mandrel receives the forward edge of the stock strip in the slot |08. Theil gripper is in closed position immediately after the reception of the forward edge of the stock strip and during the formation of the container.

The hollowshaft ||5 provides an interior air passage |22 communicating with an oblique air outlet |23 near the nose of the mandrel to permit a blast of air to be forced through the mandrel to eject a finished container therefrom when the gripper is in open position. The blast of air is in turn carried by a bracket |29 secured to the bearing housing ||2.

The mandrel is rotated continuously but at a variable speed. In other words, the mandrel passes through a speed cycle, includinga relatively high speed and a relatively very slow speed, but the mandrel preferably never stops. From the showing in Figures 2 and 7, it will be seen that on its inner end the shaft I3 carries a cam member |30 having a cam hump |3| thereon. The member |30 also carries a pair of spaced railsy |32 forming a diametral track therebetween. Journaled in the frame 2 is a shaft |33 which is out of alignment with the shaft |3 and which carries on its outer end a relatively large gear |34 in mesh with the gear ||3 fixed to the mandrel shaft ||0. On the inner end of the shaft |33 a wheel I3 is fixed which carries an off-center pin |36 engaged in the track between the rails |32. It

will thereupon be seen that the shaft |3 drives the shaft |33 at a variable speed through the engagement of the pin |36 in the diametral track. When this pin is farthest from the center of the shaft |3, the shaft |33 will be driven at its fastest speed, and conversely, when the pin' is nearest the center of the s-haft |31, the shaft |33 will be driven at its slowest speed. By properly positioning the two shafts I3 and |33 relatively to each other, the duration of the slow and fast speed portions of a revolution may be varied to suit, such, for example, as slow speed during a quarter revolution and fast speed during the remaining three-quarters of a revolution. The gear |34 being considerably larger than the gear ||3 on the mandrel shaft results in the mandrel shaft making several revolutions to one revolutionof the shaft |33, but nevertheless the variable speed will be transmitted to the mandrel shaft by the gear |34.

The mandrel gripper |09 is preferably open during the slower vpart of the mandrel speed cycle, since at this time an ejection of a finished container occurs and the reception of the forward edge of the stock strip after the ejection also occurs. -This opening of the mandrel gripper at the proper time is accomplished by the cam |30 on the shaft I3. The cam hump |3| strikes a roller |31 carried intermediately by a lever |38 pivoted as indicated at |30, thus elevating the lever. The free end of the lever |38 is pivoted to a link |40 which in turn is pivoted to a crank arm |4| fixed to a shaft |42.` Theconsequent rotation of the shaft |42 results in an inward vmovement of a hook |43 secured to the other end of the shaft. This inward movement causes the hook to engage acrank |44 fixed to the sleeve |20 which in turn is fixed to the gripper shaft H5. The. action ofthe hook-is shown clearly in Figure 1&2.

While the hook is `in engaged position, as shown by the full lines in Figure 12, the gripper shaft ||5 is held against rotation with the mandrel shaft ||0 and against the action of the spring |2 'I'his causes an opening of the gripper which is maintained during the time the cam hump |3| maintains the lever |38 -in elevated position. Immediately upon the hump passing beyond the roller |31, the spring |2| causes a rotation of the gripper shaft ||5 relatively to the mandrel shaft a container is ejected and a new blank is cut greatly facilitates the rapid manufacture of containers.

During the forming of the blank into a container on the mandrel, a presser cone |45 rests against the blank on the mandrel, to insure adequate adhesion of the overlapping margins of the blank and otherwise maintain the blank in proper position .until the container is completely formed ready for ejection. This presser cone is mounted on a rotatable shaft |46 journaled in a bearing |41 carried on the outer end of an arm |48 fixed to a transversely disposed shaft |49. The presser cone |45 is normally held against the blank on the 'mandrel by a tension spring |50 attached at opposite ends to the bearing |41 and the frame 2.

Of course, the presser cone must be elevated away from the mandrel to permit ejection of a finished container. To this end, a cam |5| is provided on the shaft I3. 'This cam has a hump |52 positioned for engagement with a roller |53 carried intermediately by a lever |54 pivoted at one end, as at |55, and the free end of the lever being engaged with the forked lower extremity of a rod |56 (Figures 2 and 8). The upper end of this rod |56 is pivotally connected to a crank |51 fixed to the aforesaid shaft |49. Therefore, when the cam |5| raises the lever |54, the crank |51 is rotated so as to raise the presser vcone |45 together with its bearing |41 away from the mandrel |01 against the action of the spring |50; Immediately upon, the cam hump passing the roller |53, the spring |50 will restore the presser cone to its initial position.

The operation Y to the slack` loop 26. From this slack loop, the

stock strip is fed through the machine by the main feeding rolls 32 and 33 aided by the pressure between the backing roll 49 and printing roll 50. As the stock strip passes the printing roll, spaced patches of printing are placed on the underside thereof, and as the -stock strip next passes the gluing mechanism, spaced dabs 63 of adhesive are applied to the upper face of the stock strip adjacent a side marginthereof.

As before stated; the shaft 2| is continuously driven from the. shaft |3, and the initial feeding rolls are also continuously driven by means of the chain drive 29 from the shaft 2|, while the main feeding rolls .32 and 33 are driven intermittently from the shaft 2| through the medium of the mutilated gears 38 and-40. The stock strip is consequently Vfe'd intermittently directly into engagement with the mandrelil01. 'I'he forward end of the stock strip,'upon the actuation of the main feeding rolls, is fed with the part |05` directly into the mandrel groove |08 and gripped by the gripper |09 just prior to the severvance of the blank 86 from the stock strip by the cutting mechanism.

At the time of reception of the forward end of the stock strip, the continuously moving mandrel is operating at its slowest speed, with the gripper held in open position. Then the gripper is released to closed position, and theblank is severedl from the strip. Immediately upon the severance of the blank, the speed of the mandrel increases and the blank is wound around the mandrel and formed into a container with the mandrel moving at a relatively high speed. Upon the formation of the container, the speed of the mandrel again slows, the gripper is held in released position, the presser cone |45 is elevated, and the finished container ejectedfrom the mandrel by a blast of air. Immediately following the ejection of the finished container, the mandrel again lreceives the forward end of the strip in the groove |08 and the process is repeated. i

During the cutting of the blank from the stock strip, the main feeding rolls 32 and 33 are idle, because the smooth part 4l of the gear 40 is engaged with the smooth part 39 of the gear 38. During the formation of` the container upon the mandrel, the main feeding rolls are again actuated to advance the stock strip, and the feeding rolls again become idle upon the entrance of the part |05 of the stock strip into the mandrel groove.

It will be noted that, due to the fact that the stock strip is fed directly into and is gripped by the mandrel prior to the severance of the blanks, there is no opportunity for the blanks to become out of alignment or out of proper position, and a large blank may be handled just as readily as a small. blank. It will further be noted that no further trimming or cutting operations are necessary upon the blank', either during or after the forming operation, the single stroke of the punch die having severed a complete blank in its final form. Such a process results in a. minimum amount of waste" of stock, this waste being exemplified by the heavy shaded die part 85 seen in the right hand portion of Figure 6.

It will te` further noted that the use of the machine as above described, and the practice of the method embodied in this invention, results in a very rapid and economical production of containers, large and small containers being produced with equal facility.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction 4may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than is necessit.- ed by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a conical cup making machine, cup forming means arranged to grip the forward edge of a stock strip, feeding means arranged to feed a substantially continuous stock s trip into said forming means, and cutting 'mechanism arranged to sever a conical cup blank from said strip after the forward edge of the strip has been gripped by said forming means, said cutting mechanism including a cutting element shaped to sever a complete conical cup blank from said strip.

2. In a conical cup making machine, container forming mechanism containing gripping means, feeding means arranged to advance a substantially continuous stock strip directly into engagement with said gripping means, and cutting mechanism timed to sever a blank for a conical cup` from said strip after said gripping means have engaged the forward end of said strip, said cutting mechanism being arranged to sever a flnished conical cup blank requiring no further trimming.

3. In a container making machine, container forming mechanism containing gripping means, feeding means arranged to advance a substantially continuous stock strip directly into engagement with said gripping means, and cutting mechanism timed to sever a container blank fromsaid strip after said gripping means have engaged the forward end of said strip,said cutting mechanism including a punch die and an apertured die block arranged to strike out a part of said strip and thus provide a container blank and simultaneously remove waste stock.

4. In a container making machine, container forming mechanism containing gripping means, feeding means arranged to advance a substantially continuous stock strip directly into engagement with said gripping means, and cutting mechanism timedto sever a container blank from said strip after said gripping means have engaged the forward end of said strip, said cutting mechanism being arranged to sever a nished container blank requiring no further trimming and simultaneously remove the waste stock from the path of said strip.

5. In a container making machine, a driving element, forming means arranged to be driven through a variable speed cycle by said driving element, feeding means connected to said driving element to be driven intermittently thereby and timed to advance the forward end of a substantially continuous stock strip periodically to said forming means, the strip end reaching said forming means when the same are moving through the slower part of said speed cycle, and cutting means timed to sever a container blank from said strip after it has reached the forming vmeans and while the feeding means are idle.

6. In a container making machine, a continuously operable driving element, initial feeding means connected to said driving element for continuous operation thereby to deliver a substantially continuous stock strip from a source into position for passage through the machine proper, forming means arranged to be continuously driven by said driving element but at variable speed through a predetermined speed cycle, and main feeding means arranged to be intermittently driven by said driving element for advancing said strip to said forming means at the slow part of said speed cycle.

7. In a container making machine, a continuously operable driving element, initial feeding means connected to said driving element for continuous operation thereby to deliver a 'substantially continuous stock strip from a source into position for passage through the machine proper, forming means arranged to be continuously driven by said driving element but at variable speed through apredetermined speed cycle, main .feeding means arranged to be intermittently driven by said driving element for advancing said strip to said forming means, and cutting means also actuated by said driving4 element to sever a container blank from said strip after the forward end of the strip has reached the forming means.

8. In a container making machine, a continuously operable4 driving element, initial feeding means continuously driven by said driving element to advance a substantially continuous stock strip, forming means continuously driven at variable speedby said driving element, other feeding means driven intermittently by said driving element to periodically advance said strip to said forming means, and cutting mechanism also actuated intermittently by said driving element to severa container blank from said strip after the forward end thereof has been engaged by said forming means.

9. In a container making machine, forming means, feeding means arranged to advance a substantially continuous stock strip towards said forming means, and cutting mechanism includ- Aing a die shaped to sever a nished container blank from said strip by striking out a section of said strip corresponding to the waste stock occurrant between`adjacently severed blanks, said cutting mechanism being timed to operate after the forward end of said strip has been rmly engaged by said forming means.

10. The method o f making a conical paper cup, including feeding a substantially continuous stock strip towards forming position, and cutting a finished substantially sector-shaped blank having a projecting tab from the forward part ot said strip by removing from said strip a section corresponding in general to waste stock between adjacently severed blanks, forming said blank into conical cup shape and shaping said tab about the apexial region of the cup.

11. In a container making machine, a conical forming mandrel carrying gripping means, driving means arranged to rotate said forming mandrel continuously but at variable speed through a predetermined speed cycle, feeding means arranged to feed the leading end of a stock strip dlrectly into engagement by said gripping means at the slower range of speed of said speed cycle, and

cutting means timed to sever a blank from said strip after gripping has occurred but before a faster part of said speed cycle is reached.

12. The method of making a conical paper cup with the aid of a forming mandrel, including the steps of feeding a'substantially continuous ribbon of stock towards the mandrel, engaging the forward end of the ribbon with the mandrel, then severing a completed blank from the leading portion of the stock ribbon, and thereafter winding the blank around the mandrel into a conical cup. 13. The method of making a conical paper cup with the aid of a forming'mandrel, including the steps of feeding a substantially continuous ribbon of stock towards the mandrel, engaging the forward end of the ribbon with the mandrel, then severing a completed substantially sector-shaped blank from the leading portion of thestock stripby striking'o'ut of said ribbon a section corresponding in general to waste stock between successively severed blanks, and thereafter winding the blank around the mandrel into a conical cup.

CESARE BARBIERI. 

